Display-rack.



110.861.363. PATENTE!) JULY so, 1907.

D. F. GRBENAWALT.

DISPLAY RAcK.

. APPLICATION FILED DBO 7| 41908.

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A TTORNE Ys W1 TNEb sfs 6% PATENTED JULY 80, '1907.'

D. F. GRBBNAWALT'.'

DISPLAY RACK.

APPLroATIoN FILED Dnc. 7. 190e.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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DAVID F. GREENAWALT, OF YORK, PENNSYLVANIA DISPLAY-RACK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 30, 1907.

Application iiled December 7, 1906. Serial No. 346,804.

lb all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID F. GREENAWALT, a citizen of the United States, residing at York, in the county of York and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Display-Rack, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices for the display of rolls of silk and other fabrics, and has for its principal object to provide a novel form of display rack and counter by which the goods may be displayed and sold to the utmost advantage, and which will further afford protection against dust, dirt, and the damage which so frequently results from careless handling in and out of dirt holding shelving.

A further object of the invention is to provide a counter with display racks which may be vertically adjusted to display position, and in which the racks when drawn out to display position will serve as partitions to divide the counter into comparatively private display booths where the conversation of the customer and salesman is less likely to be interrupted than where the ordinary counter is used.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel means for raising and holding the display racks in dis play position, and for rpreventing rocking of the display racks when in use.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a dust guard or cover which forms a stationary part of the structure, and which completely closes the rack when the latter is forced to concealed position below the counter.

With these and other objects in view, as will more fully hereinafter appear, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportions, size and minor details of the structure may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings z-Figure l is a perspective view of a display rack and counter constructed in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section through a portion of the counter and one of the racks, showing the dust guard and the means for raising and lowering the rack. Fig. 3 is a vertical section in a plane at a right angle to Fig. 2, showing principally the balancing means for sustaining a portion of the weight of the rack. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of one of the rack lifting and holding devices, detached. Fig. 5 is a similar view, illustrating a modified form of lifting and holding device.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

In carrying out the present invention, the counter l0 is provided at intervals with rounded approximately semi-circular projecting portions ll which extend from both the Vfront and the rear of the counter in transverse alinement with each other, but these projecting portions may be at the front only of the counter, their function being to add to the attractiveness of the counter, as well as to form partial divisions, so that partial privacy may be insured during the purchase of goods.

Extending transversely across the counter, and occupying a portion oi each of the extensions, is a slot I5 preferably rectangular in its general contour and arranged for the reception of a slidablerrack IG in Which the goods to be displayed are mounted. In

i the present instance the goods shown are in the form of rolls which may be of silk or any other material, but it will be understood that the racks may be arranged for the support of ribbons, or any other articles of merchandise, and four of such rolls .T are shown in the present instance. These racks are provided with suitable means for counter-balancing the greater portion of their weight, and in the present instance suitable springs 17 are employed, as shown in Fig. 3, there be* ing one spring at each end of the rack, and the springs being of such strength that it will require but sight effort to raise the rack to display position, and the rack may be moved upward to expose one, or two, or more of the rolls of fabric above the top of the counter.

For the purpose of conveniently raising the rack and holding the same from lateral play, an arm 19 is used, the inner end of the arm being rigidly secured to the bottom of the rack, and its opposite end being extended toward the rear of the counter, and slightly curved in order that the rear ends may be to one side of the projecting portion Il. This arm is provided with an integral collar 2l that is arranged to slide on a vertically disposed rod 22, and the collar is threaded for the reception of a handled screw 23 that projects out through a slot 24 in the rear portion of the counter. By grasping the projecting handled end of the screw, the salesman may raise the entire rack to display position, and then by turning the screw 23, the rack will be locked in the position to which it is moved, and will be held from accidental descent or wabbling. ln Fig. 5 is illustrated a slight modification of this construction, wherein the arm I9/ is provided at its outer end with a headed pin 20, and a screw 23, the screw and the pin being both arranged to work in the same vertical slot of the counter and when the screw is turned, the arm will be rigidly locked in the position to which it is adjusted.

In order to further hold the rack from accidental play, and to serve as a guard for the protection of the goods, a plate 26 is arranged under the counter, the opposite edges of the plate being arranged to work behind a flange Y27 at the display side of the rack, and

this fiange being continued at the top of the rack, in order to co-act with the upper edge of the plate [or preventing entrance' of dust and dirt when the rack is closed.

It Will be seen that when the rack is depressed, the guard plate will serve as a closure and positively prevent the entrance oi dirt and dust, While when the rack is raised, the upper portion 0I the plate Will act as a means for holding saidv rack from lateral play.

The racks forming the subject ot this invention are preferably provided on one side with mirrors or other ornamental panels, as indicated at 30, and where adjacent racks are raised, as illustrated in Fig. l, they serve to form relatively private booths in which goods may be displayed to advantage, and in which there is less likelihood of interruption [rom other customers While the sale is being made.

In order to attract attention to the goods, each rack is preferably provided with brackets at the top in order to hold the ends of the fabric, the fabric being preferably drawn up through suitable slots 36 formed in the top of the rack and said brackets may be iurther utilized to support the price or advertising card, as shown in Fig. l.

I claim:

1. The combination with a counter having transversely extending openings; of a plurality of counter-balanced vertically adjustable racks movable through said openings and arranged when exposed to form separate booths, and a colnbined handle, and locking member movable with each rack.

2. The combination with a counter having an opening therein; of a display rack movable through the opening, a

guide bar', a combined handle and locking device connected to the rack and movable upon the guide bar, and means for facilitating the actuation of the handle to project the rack through the opening.

3, In apparatus ot' the class described, a counter having projecting portions extending from its front and rear walls, such projecting portions being in transverse alinement, the counter having openings which extend partly into such projecting portions, and vertically disposed display racks movable upward to form separate display .booths u Y A g 4. The combination with a counter having a top openingY and a vertically slotted rear wall, of a counter-balanced display rack movable through the opening, an adjusting.

har secured to said rack and having a handled locking member extending through the slot, whereby the rack may be raised or lowered and locked in adjusted position.

5. The combination with a counter having a transversely arranged opening, of a display rack movable vertically through the opening, an operating bar, the inner end of which is rigidly secured to the lower portion of the rack, a guide bar adjacent to the inner wall of the counter,` a collar carried by the bar and encircling said rod, and a handled clamping screw extending through an opening in the collar and arranged to bind against said rod to hold the rack in adjusted position.

G. ln a device of the class specied, a counter having a top opening, a display rack having a flanged forward edge, and a guard plate rigidly secured within the counter and arranged to engage with the flange to form ardust proof collar when the rack is in closed position.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto allixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

DAVID F. GREENAWALT.

Witnesses:

WM. F. FRY, JOHN' WAGNER. 

